Bundesliga matchday 14, Saturday, 14.12.2024 at 15:30
The Köpenickers’ season really is like a wild rollercoaster ride, and there seems to be no end in sight to their slump. On the other side are Bochum, who have almost become accustomed to defeats – a bitter reality for VfL fans.
But it is precisely games like this that hold the potential for surprises: can the visitors from Bochum perhaps turn things around unexpectedly against the recently weakening “Irons”? The direct duel offers both teams the chance to break out of their negative spiral.
Whether the Köpenickers make the most of their home advantage or VfL finally pull off a minor soccer miracle is something I’ll try to find out before kick-off in my Union Berlin Bochum prediction, along with the best sports betting bonus!
Never before has a Bundesliga club been so far away from relegation than VfL Bochum. With two points and a goal difference of -24 after 13 games, VfL are playing the second weakest season in Bundesliga history.
Only Greuther Fürth fared worse in 2021/22 with one point after the first 13 matchdays. In total, only three clubs have collected a maximum of two points after 13 games – all three ended up being relegated. That doesn’t bode well for Blue & White!
Consequently, I also find it extremely difficult to believe that VfL will win in my Union Berlin Bochum betting tip. In fact, the Ruhr Valley side will be lucky if they finally manage to score a goal again on Saturday!
The oddsmakers’ forecast?
Tax-free betting sites were my first port of call to find out the current Union Berlin Bochum odds.
With an average of 1.60 for a win for the home side, the bookmakers expect the Köpenickers to successfully play to their home strength. The odds of around 5.75 on Bochum, on the other hand, speak volumes about the underdog role of the visitors, who have often stumbled away from home.
The draw ultimately gravitates around 3.95 and at least a small surprise does not seem completely out of reach.
KI prediction Union Berlin vs Bochum: ChatGPT
The Union Berlin Bochum AI prediction for the upcoming home game of the Köpenickers offers various interesting assessments that are worth taking a closer look at.
For example, I quite like the risky option that ChatGPT suggested to me, a 2:1 win for Union Berlin. Alongside a narrow 1:0, this result seems the most likely in my eyes.
In any case, I don’t expect more than three goals to be scored at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei on Saturday. A great tip for all those who want to boldly bet on a realistic result
The second Union Berlin Bochum AI tip with medium risk intensity, on the other hand, consists of a draw at the break, which also convinces me.
In a game that is likely to be a bit choppy and offer few clear scoring chances, a draw after 45 minutes would probably come as little surprise. However, I would prefer to speculate on a 0-0 half-time score here.
The low risk bet on the “1st goal for Union Berlin” is also understandable. With over 270 Bundesliga minutes without scoring, VfL will be lucky if they manage to score at all on Saturday – no matter when!
Analysis: Union Berlin vs Bochum
Union Berlin are currently stuck in mid-table, with a similar gap to the relegation zone and the international places.
However, their current form gives little cause for hope, as the capital team have not won in six Bundesliga games and have recently lost three times in a row, albeit always by the narrow margin of one goal (2 draws, 4 defeats).
A clash against bottom-of-the-table Bochum could look like a chance to turn things around, but appearances are deceptive: Union have not won any of their last four meetings with VfL in the Bundesliga (1 draw, 3 defeats).
However, the fans could be given hope by the well-known home strength of the “Eisern” at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei, where they have only been beaten by Bayer Leverkusen this season (3 wins, 2 draws).
Bochum, on the other hand, are deep in crisis. With just two points after 13 games, the team is still winless and the uncertainty in the team is growing more and more every day.
The players are increasingly losing confidence in themselves and even coach Dieter Hecking seems powerless. In the defeat against Werder Bremen, the majority of the fans left the stadium early, which speaks volumes for the deep-seated frustration among the supporters!
Despite occasionally convincing phases of play, the team has failed to score the decisive goals and points. And now Dieter Hecking is even on the verge of his 150th Bundesliga defeat, which would make the VfL coach only the seventh coach to reach this sad mark.
Rating Analysis
The already discussed Union Berlin Bochum AI prediction, which suggests a 2:1 result tip on the Köpenickers, is certainly a valid option.
But I would rather recommend a 1:0 on FCU instead, especially because the odds are much more attractive at around 10.5 in case of success. Somehow I also find it hard to imagine that VfL will actually score a goal on Saturday.
The “Under 3.5 goals” bet at odds of 1.30 may not seem very appealing at first glance, but it still has its charm.
The match will almost certainly produce a rather low-scoring final result due to many interruptions and little flow, which makes this bet quite promising.
Union Berlin vs Bochum odds: VfL are no match for the away side!
With such glaring statistics, it’s really hard to believe that the Ruhr Valley side can even manage a draw. VfL Bochum are the only team in this Bundesliga season who have yet to pick up a single away point.
With seven away defeats in a row, they are on the worst possible run. In fact, they have eight defeats this season – and a ninth would set a new club record.
The last hope? In 2004/05 they actually managed a turnaround. But will it work this time? Doubtful!
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FCU vs VfL: Duel of destructive game concepts!
The upcoming duel between 1. FC Union Berlin and VfL Bochum could be a tough and tense game, as both teams follow a similar tactical pattern, which is based on little ball possession and a rather destructive style of play.
Union Berlin are the team with the least possession in this Bundesliga season with an average possession of 39.1%, while VfL Bochum have the third least possession at 41%.
This tendency to break up play could both hamper the offensive flow of both teams and lead to an unattractive but hard-fought game.
Both teams are also struggling on offense: Union employ the third weakest offense in the Bundesliga with 12 goals, only FC St. Pauli (11) and VfL Bochum (10) have scored fewer!
This means that both teams have little penetration up front and are reliant on making efficient use of their few chances.
In contrast, Union Berlin have the best defense in the league with 14 goals conceded behind Bayern Munich (10), which shows that they are very stable defensively. Those are undoubtedly further strong indications of a low-scoring affair …
VfL Bochum, meanwhile, go into this match with considerably less confidence.
After 13 games without a win (2 draws, 11 defeats) this season and a 15-game winless streak (2 draws, 13 defeats), Bochum find themselves in a very difficult situation.
This ongoing negative streak could be a problem for the team and the already battered self-confidence of the blue and whites could now be completely shattered.
Overall, I think a close 1:0 for Union Berlin, as mentioned above, is the most likely outcome, as their strong defense and Bochum’s problems in offense could give them the upper hand in this game.
Bochum will try to destroy the game and destabilize Union, but due to their weak form and defensive weaknesses, I see them struggling to keep things tight against FCU for 90 minutes.
After all, it would be the first time this season that the blue and whites have played a competitive match without conceding a goal.
My Union Berlin Bochum tip:
The game is unlikely to be worth watching and will be characterized by many fouls. Bochum are fighting for survival, but I doubt that the players still really believe that they can avoid relegation.
Union have also suffered a few defeats in recent games, but these were often close and sometimes very unfortunate.
That’s why I expect the stronger-looking FCU to keep the upper hand next Saturday and win the game with results like 1:0, 2:0 or 2:1.
My tip: Victory Union Berlin & Under 3.5 goals
